Self defense apparatus and method of use

ABSTRACT

A self-defense apparatus includes a body with an interior cavity and a nozzle, the body having a finger holders to create a grip about the body; a compressed fuel cartridge stored within the interior cavity and having a valve associated therewith; a torch to ignite fuel exiting the nozzle; a regulator incorporated into the valve to control fuel flow; and a control switch positioned on an exterior of the body and to active the torch and thereby exert a flame from the nozzle; the self-defense apparatus is activated to exert a flame in a desired direction via the control switch.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to self-defense devices, andmore specifically, to a self-defense apparatus that uses a flame fordefense from a person or animal.

2. Description of Related Art

Self-defense devices are well known in the art and are effective meansto deter an assailant or animal. For example, FIG. 1 depicts aconventional self-defense device 101 having a body 103 configured tohold a spray 105 to be shot through a nozzle 107 via an activationbutton 109.

One of the problems commonly associated with device 101 is limited. Forexample, the spray may spread or blow back into the user's face, therebybeing less effective and dangerous.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area ofself-defense devices, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of thepresent application are set forth in the appended claims. However, theembodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and furtherobjectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a common self-defense device;

FIG. 2 is a side view of self-defense apparatus in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic of the elements of the self-defenseapparatus of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the method of use of the apparatus of FIG. 2.

While the system and method of use of the present application issusceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specificembodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawingsand are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however,that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended tolimit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the presentapplication are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that inthe development of any actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present applicationovercomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonlyassociated with conventional self-defense devices. Specifically, thepresent invention provides a means to use heat and a flame as aself-defense mechanism, thereby preventing the self-defense device fromblowing back onto the user. These and other unique features of thesystem and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to itsstructure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken inconjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments ofthe system are presented herein. It should be understood that variouscomponents, parts, and features of the different embodiments may becombined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which arewithin the scope of the present application, even though not allvariations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. Itshould also be understood that the mixing and matching of features,elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expresslycontemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/orfunctions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodimentas appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Itis chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention andits application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art tofollow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identifycorresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 2depicts a side view of a self-defense apparatus 201 in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciatedthat apparatus 201 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problemscommonly associated with conventional self-defense devices.

In the contemplated embodiment, apparatus 201 includes a body 203 withan interior cavity configured to hold a fuel cartridge 205. It should beappreciated that the fuel cartridge can hold a compressed fuel, caninclude an oxygen source, or other various components as is known in theart. The fuel cartridge 205 is further engaged with one or more of avalve 207, a regulator 209, and a torch/ignition 211. During use, aswitch 213, which can be a button, lever, switch, or the like, is usedto ignite the fuel, thereby forcing a flame 215 from a nozzle 217.

In the preferred embodiment, the body 203 includes a plurality of fingerholes 219, thereby creating an improved grip for the user to hold andactivate the apparatus.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believedcharacteristic of the present application is the creation of a small,handheld self-defense apparatus that uses a flame/torch as aself-defense mechanism.

In FIG. 3, a simplified schematic demonstrates some of the elements ofapparatus 201. The compressed fuel and in some embodiments, oxygen 301,in combination with a torch/ignition source 303, and a regulator 305,are activated via a control switch 307 to ignite the flame through thenozzle.

In FIG. 4, a flowchart 401 depicts the method of use of apparatus 201.During use, the user carries the apparatus, and upon an attack, the useractivates the apparatus to create a flame, as shown with boxes 403 and405. The user can then use the self-defense apparatus as needed, asshown with box 407.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theembodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of theapplication. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forthin the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above,they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable tovarious changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-defense apparatus, comprising: a body with an interior cavity and a nozzle, the body having a plurality of finger holders to create a grip about the body; a compressed fuel cartridge stored within the interior cavity and having a valve associated therewith; a torch configured to ignite fuel exiting the nozzle; a regulator incorporated into the valve to control fuel flow; and a control switch positioned on an exterior of the body and configured to active the torch and thereby exert a flame from the nozzle; wherein the self-defense apparatus is activated to exert a flame in a desired direction via the control switch.
 2. A method of self-defense, the method comprising: providing the self-defense apparatus of claim 1; activating the torch via the control switch; and using the self-defense apparatus for defense via the flame. 